March 15, 2008
Joe Pokluda
Joe Pokluda passed away on Jan. 22, 2008. A private family service and burial took place in Georgetown, Ont. A celebration of Joe’s life will be announced at a later date.
After emigrating from France in 1951, Joe found work at Sheridan Nurseries and became an integral part of the company’s growing operations.
Within one year of starting work at Sheridan, Joe took charge of the propagation crews under Constance DeGroot. In 1958 he became the first manager of the 300 acre farm in Glen Williams. Within 12 years, this farm grew to its present 941 acres, Canada’s largest single growing area. Joe was very much involved in the mechanization of Sheridan’s growing operation and was instrumental in shifting Sheridan’s tree production from seedlings to the grafted and budded selections grown today. Joe’s selections and introductions include the widely acclaimed Ivory Silk tree lilac, Sheridan silver maple, Green Globe and Sheridan hybrid lindens, Kleinberg ash and he also selected a number of understocks used in production.
In 1965, the Ontario Nursery Trades Association presented Joe with the Frank Ewald Junior Nurserymen’s Award in recognition of his active participation in the modernization of nursery growing practices.
In 1988, Joe became Sheridan’s first horticultural coordinator, responsible for the overall growing operations at all four Sheridan farms in southern Ontario. Joe remained actively involved until his retirement in the selection and evaluation of new varieties by Sheridan Nurseries and those brought in from other areas for possible growing and sale.
Paul Offierski of PAO Horticultural, a former salesman for Sheridan Nurseries, recalled what a pleasure it was to bring his customers to any of the farms managed by Joe. “No matter where you went, customers were always wowed with the cleanliness and organization of his operations. There were no surprises. He managed his staff well, his planting and digging operations always ran smoothly — Joe made it look easy. He was an unbelievably good manager.
“I considered Joe one of the better managers in the nursery business in North America. Years after touring Sheridan Nurseries farms on an American Association of Nurserymen tour in 1974, people still remembered what a clean and well-run nursery it was — thanks to Joe Pokluda.”
Joe was the cherished husband of Janet Nielsen for 33 years, and beloved father to Suzan, Andre, Tina and husband Ted. Proud PaPere to Matthew, Jenny, Megan and Ryan. Sadly missed by Alice and siblings Vlasta, Miroslava and Michael.
If desired, in memory contributions to Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills or to the Canadian Red Cross Society would be appreciated.
After emigrating from France in 1951, Joe found work at Sheridan Nurseries and became an integral part of the company’s growing operations.
Within one year of starting work at Sheridan, Joe took charge of the propagation crews under Constance DeGroot. In 1958 he became the first manager of the 300 acre farm in Glen Williams. Within 12 years, this farm grew to its present 941 acres, Canada’s largest single growing area. Joe was very much involved in the mechanization of Sheridan’s growing operation and was instrumental in shifting Sheridan’s tree production from seedlings to the grafted and budded selections grown today. Joe’s selections and introductions include the widely acclaimed Ivory Silk tree lilac, Sheridan silver maple, Green Globe and Sheridan hybrid lindens, Kleinberg ash and he also selected a number of understocks used in production.
In 1965, the Ontario Nursery Trades Association presented Joe with the Frank Ewald Junior Nurserymen’s Award in recognition of his active participation in the modernization of nursery growing practices.
In 1988, Joe became Sheridan’s first horticultural coordinator, responsible for the overall growing operations at all four Sheridan farms in southern Ontario. Joe remained actively involved until his retirement in the selection and evaluation of new varieties by Sheridan Nurseries and those brought in from other areas for possible growing and sale.
Paul Offierski of PAO Horticultural, a former salesman for Sheridan Nurseries, recalled what a pleasure it was to bring his customers to any of the farms managed by Joe. “No matter where you went, customers were always wowed with the cleanliness and organization of his operations. There were no surprises. He managed his staff well, his planting and digging operations always ran smoothly — Joe made it look easy. He was an unbelievably good manager.
“I considered Joe one of the better managers in the nursery business in North America. Years after touring Sheridan Nurseries farms on an American Association of Nurserymen tour in 1974, people still remembered what a clean and well-run nursery it was — thanks to Joe Pokluda.”
Joe was the cherished husband of Janet Nielsen for 33 years, and beloved father to Suzan, Andre, Tina and husband Ted. Proud PaPere to Matthew, Jenny, Megan and Ryan. Sadly missed by Alice and siblings Vlasta, Miroslava and Michael.
If desired, in memory contributions to Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills or to the Canadian Red Cross Society would be appreciated.